Fourth graders have completed creating figurative representations of either calaveras or snowmen, as fancy would dictate. They began by crafting the supporting mantle and then added detail in both painted design and three-dimensional creations. The finished products show growth in understanding of modeling, proportions, contrast and color choice, fanciful ingenuity, and medium control.
A large part of this project was a consideration of the difference between craft and art. This is a slippery idea and needs to be teased out over time. One conclusion was certain- that there is a grey area, an overlapping between the two. This kind of careful consideration of the characteristics of a concept in relation to another is a skill that needs to be honed throughout students' academic lives. Art provides a safe and engaging arena for this careful habit of thought to develop.
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